by South Florida Golf Pro | Dec 7, 2022 | Fun Golf Facts, Golf Lessons, Golf News, Golfing, Golfing Tips
There is much focus that is needed in the sport of golf. Naturally, when you need golf focus, it can be very easy to burn out from it. With golf mostly being slow-paced, the game provides many windows and opportunities for you to think. You can collect your thoughts, as well as focus on the mental aspect of your next move in the game. Losing concentration during a game of golf can be costly. If you want to play to the best of your ability, honing in on different tips and tricks to keep you alert and focused is important.
Deer Creek is here to give you tips on how to focus better in golf. We have a full golf course with 18 upgraded holes and brand-new TifEagle Ultradwarf bermudagrass in a high-end setting. At Deer Creek, we have the knowledge to offer advice on staying focused on your game of golf so you can play your best game. Keep reading to learn more from our golf experts.
The Mental Aspect of Golf
As with many sports, the mental aspect of golf is almost as important as the physical aspect. As simple as it sounds, thinking positively can affect your ability to focus. If you go into the game with a negative attitude, your focus will not be in the right place. It might not even be present at all. Work on your process, not your score. Overthinking about your downswing, the takeaway, or your grip can really interfere with your mental state and ability to focus.
Losing Concentration During a Golfing Game
A tip that can help you hold concentration during a golf game is splitting the 18-hole game into rounds of three holes per round. Doing this makes it three mini-games during each of the two rounds. Having mini-games is very helpful because completing nine holes twice in a row can become very tedious. Typically it is during the second set of nine holes that people begin to lose focus.
Another tip is to only focus on one hole at a time. Completely forget about how the previous holes went – good or bad. Don’t begin to think about the upcoming holes. Focusing on the hole at hand will increase not only your performance but your ability to focus throughout the game. This is because your head will be less cluttered, and you will not be thinking about the past or the future.
Having a pre-shot routine, as well as practice routines, can be tasks that contribute to your ability to focus. Prepare your pre-shot routine earlier than you already do. You’ll be able to look at the slope of the ball as well as feel how heavy the wind is at the time of day. Many professional golfers recommend that you think to yourself, “What does the shape of my shot look like?” Course management can bring consistency. This will help create less noise about what your next steps are. It will also give you more room for your golf focus, and you can concentrate on how well you are about to play.
Playing a Focused Game of Golf at Deer Creek
Once you have these tips down, you can check out our tee times and rates. If you have any questions about our course, contact us today.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Dec 7, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf News, Golfing, Health Benefits of Golf
As the weather cools down almost everywhere else in the country, South Florida becomes the hot spot for snowbirds to stay warm for the winter. At Deer Creek, we know many people will be eager to dust the snow from their golf clubs and get out on the course. Golf is considered a safer, accessible sport, but it requires skill and concentration above power. This doesn’t mean injuries can’t happen.
Lower back injuries are common in amateurs. If the player has a poor swing and lacks training, then the likelihood of an injury can be higher. Our experts at Deer Creek have some tips for back exercises for golf to help prevent injuries and keep your back safe.
Golf Swing For Bad Backs
The leading cause of back injuries is poor swings and not having the proper conditioning. The way golfers swing can cause stress on the back if the player leans forward too much, twists, and bends on the side. These pressures can be minimized by using our tips and some of the best stretches for golfers.
Swing Tips:
- Slow down your swing, even when swinging through the ball
- Stand just a few inches closer to the ball
- Turn your inside foot out; this will help get the hip to turn
- Choose narrower stance
- Play the ball to the center of your stance
- Taking a shorter backswing will prevent the spine from twisting too much
- Let the outside heel float
- Keep weight balanced
Best Exercises For Golf
Deer Creek’s experts have put together some exercises to help strengthen your back to relieve some of the back pain after golf or before! A lot of the following exercises have a lot to do with strengthening your core to help strengthen your back.
Planks
This is one of the top exercises we recommend! All it takes is holding a pushup position. Start by tightening your torso so that your stomach doesn’t sag to the ground. Hold this position for as long as you can, rest, and repeat. For beginners, start by holding it for 10 seconds at a time.
These can be done weighted or with body weight and can be done without a gym membership and equipment.
Seated Rotations
This type of exercise can help limber up the lumbar spine, which will help keep your back safe with every swing. Rotation is a major part of golf; it’s almost everything!
To do this exercise, sit in a chair or on a bench, grab a golf club, and hold it on your shoulders behind your neck. This will keep your posture good during the exercise. Now, without moving your hips, slowly start to turn your upper body side to side, stopping at the center each time. Repeat ten times. This can also be done as a warm-up before tee time!
Glute Bridges
This is the type of exercise not only for the core or lower back; it also activates the gluteus maximus muscles and stretches the hip flexors. There is a condition called an anterior pelvic tilt; this is when the “wing” of the pelvis points down toward the floor. Pelvic tilt can lead to problems with walking mechanics and lower back pain.
Contact Deer Creek Today!
If you are interested in learning more about our golf tips are ways to improve your game, check out our golf school or contact us today! And if you are ready to join our family, you can learn about our memberships here.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Nov 30, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf course dress code, Golf News, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette
While there are different golf courses, the behavior and rules on the courses don’t change. It is important when you start golfing that you know the proper etiquette so you can play accordingly. What is golf etiquette for beginners? The experts at Deer Creek can help answer that.
There are three categories of golf etiquette to know:
- Consideration for other players
- Pace of play
- Care of the course
When people head to the course for the first time or even their 100th time, they should know basic golf etiquette for beginners.
Golf Etiquette for Beginners
Depending on the seriousness of the group you are playing with, you may or may not want to adopt some of the more formal etiquette practices. It is important to know the expectations of the group before the round starts. Whatever your group rules are, here is some basic etiquette you should follow:
- The lowest score on the previous hole tees off first.
- The player furthest from the hole goes first. This includes the green.
- Mark your ball when on the green while others are putting.
- Don’t walk in between a player’s or your own ball and the hole on the green.
- Be quiet while others are hitting their shots.
These are the universal etiquette rules unless the group has decided against them or on different rules for the day. It can also depend on the skill level of the group. If the group has a higher skill level, then the more traditional rules will work best. If the skill level is lower or mixed, then the game may move differently. However, the ability to play golf shouldn’t dictate the pace of play. If you’re new to the game, you can set a limit for yourself. Start with a stroke limit of 8 for each hole. Once you get to 8, pick up the ball and place it on the green to finish your hole from there. There are also etiquette practices regarding the pace of play:
- Write down the scores at the next tee box.
- Park your golf cart on the side of the green towards the next hole.
- When it’s your turn to play, make sure you are ready.
- Limit the amount of time spent at the turn (between holes 9 and 10), or let the group behind you play.
- Limit practice swings to 2. You should hit the driving range beforehand to get some practice in.
- If you are a larger group of 3 or more, send the first person to putt at the next tee box as soon as they are done with a hole.
It is easy to get wrapped up in your own game. Be mindful of the groups behind you to ensure they aren’t waiting for you and your group to finish every hole. If this happens 3 to 4 holes in a row, think about letting them play ahead of you, or you can play more quickly.
Contact Deer Creek Golf Club
Once you have these rules down, then you can check out our tee times and rates. If you have any questions about our course, then contact us today.
by South Florida Golf Pro | Mar 16, 2022 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf course dress code, Golf News, Golfing, Golfing Etiquette, Golfing Tips
Anyone who has watched or played golf can see the sense of formality, this mainly has to do with the attire worn by the players, the clothing etiquette, and how strictly they are implemented. So if you and your friends want to come to enjoy the beautiful greens at Deer Creek Golf Club, there are a few things you should know about the golf attire for men.
We broke it down into 5 main points to know before your next round with us!
No T-Shirts Allowed
The proper golf attire for men is usually collared shirts. That is one of the most important rules about men’s golf gear. No t-shirts!, Polo shirts are as comfortable and cool as t-shirts, but this one has a collar!
Jeans Are Not Allowed
Khakis and golf slacks are the preferred option for men’s golfing clothing. Whatever color or material you may choose, there are a few rules:
- Must have belt loops and a belt
- Avoid cuffs (cuffs can accumulate sand)
- No denim material
Shorts are okay to wear when golfing, but they shouldn’t be too short or too tight. Shorts should be tailored like casual trousers and should be above the knee. These, like the golf pants, should have belt loops and a belt.
Wear Proper Shoes and Socks
This is a very vital one because your footwear is also protection. Rubber shoes or sandals should never be worn when on the golf course. Instead, there are specific shoes with soft spikes. The spikes are supposed to keep you from slipping, and the shoe itself is close toed for your protection as well. Golf shoes with spikes should only be worn on the course. It is best to arrive in other shoes then change into the golf shoes in the locker room.
When it comes to socks on the golf course, they should match the color of our golf slacks. If you are wearing shorts then the socks should be a lighter color and lower around the ankles.
Golf Clothing Colors
When it comes to the color of the golf attire, it is important to remember that brighter colors or loud patterns are a distraction to the group and other players on the course. If you are there with business associates or there trying to close a business deal, it is best to keep the colors and look more toned down and professional.
Contact Us
If you are interested in golfing with us, come check out our courses or contact us today!
Related Readings:
PGA Events In Florida
by South Florida Golf Pro | Jul 16, 2021 | Deer Creek Golf Club, Fun Golf Facts, Golf Events, Golf History, Golf News, Golfing, News and Press
Golf is a game of tradition. As a landmark South Florida country club, we are aficionados of golf history. We believe that we should pass on our knowledge of golf traditions and tournament traditions to the next generation. The British Open, also known simply as the Open, has a long and storied past. As the 2021 Open winds down, we thought it would be interesting to look at the history behind the British Open.
When Did the First British Open Take Place?
The 2021 British Open marks its 149th edition of the tournament. As a result, you may think that because 2021 minus 149 is 1872, that would mean that the first British Open took place in 1872; however, this is not the case. The first Open was played on October 17, 1860. While the tournament is a yearly occurrence, complications in history have caused the competition not to be played in some years. Understandably, coronavirus caused the cancelation of the 2020 Open, but this was not the only cancelation of the event.
The first cancelation of the tournament occurred in 1871. A golfer named Tom Morris won the three previous Opens, and as a result, was given the ceremonial trophy at the time, the Challenge Belt. Until Tom Morris’ third victory, the belt was returned by the previous victor, to be competed for again. In 1870, they decided to award Tom Morris full possession of the belt, meaning there was no trophy to compete for in 1871.
Other cancellations were more obvious, with the tournament not being held from 1915-1919 and 1940-1945 due to World War I and World War II.
The History of the Claret Jug
As the Challenge Belt became the personable property of Tom Morris, the tournament needed a new prize. The Claret Jug, or the winner’s trophy, was created in 1872; however, this award was not finished by the end of the 1872 Open, which Tom Morris also won. As a result, Morris was instead presented with an engraved medal. This new tradition of a medal was adopted and has been used since the 1872 tournament. Like the Challenge Belt, the Claret Jug must be returned by the winner and competed for at the next tournament.
When Was the First Claret Jug Awarded?
The first Claret Jug was awarded in 1873 to then-winner Tom Kidd. The original Claret Jug was retired and placed in a museum.
The History of the Current Claret Jug
The current Claret Jug was first awarded and presented at the 1928 Open to Walter Hagen. The trophy is still returned by the winner, who receives an engraved medal and replica to keep.
Today’s British Open
As the tournament comes to a close, we welcome the sight of a new custodian of the Claret Jug. The tournament concludes tomorrow July 18, 2021, at Royal Saint George’s Golf Course, where a new champion will most likely be crowned.
While we’re not fortunate or talented enough to play the British Open, we do have the luck to play at our esteemed South Florida Golf Course regularly. Contact us today to play at our beautiful course, or view our membership page for more information.
Related Readings:
History of Golf in South Florida
20 Surprising Facts About Golf
by South Florida Golf Pro | Jan 3, 2017 | Events, Fun Golf Facts, Golf News
Golf in 2016 was a whirlwind, to say the least. There were some firsts, and even a few fiascos that no one could have predicted, and Deer Creek has been here to report through it all. Let’s take a moment and look back at some of the most astounding and downright interesting moments of golf in 2016.
The Tiger Woods Comeback is fresh in the memories of most, but also too early to call. After Nike decided to discontinue half of its golf line and stick exclusively to apparel, some thought that was the sign of Woods’ retirement. But only a few weeks ago, he returned to golf in 2016 with a surprisingly fresh outlook.
Golf went Olympic in 2016 for the first time in over 100 years. There was drama and a few health scares, thanks to a Zika outbreak. Deer Creek covered all the Olympic golf news as it happened last year on our golf blog.
The United States won the Ryder Cup and displeased the rest of the world. British golfer and Ryder Cup hopeful Danny Willet was heckled by angry American fans. This is because Danny’s brother Pete Willet wrote a scathing article that trashed the conduct of the American fans, and it was not unwarranted. American golfers complained and a fan was ejected. The backlash was more severe than Pete expected, when it then made the headline for golf in 2016. Read Pete Willets Ryder Cup article and see for yourself.
Golf lost the Legendary Arnold Palmer in September 2016. We are glad that he had the chance to enjoy and play golf in 2016, right until the end.
If you like staying informed, be sure to visit the Deer Creek Golf Club Facebook page. Happy New Year, golfers!
